DUBOIS – DuBois 3rd and 4th graders will begin water studies with Penn State DuBois this Spring.
Teacher Deb Finalle and Wildlife Biologist Emily Thomas will be working together to engage students in a two-day Wetlands Exploration Starting Wednesday the 30th.
Students will have the opportunity to learn through an outdoor field study led by Penn State Wildlife Students.
The rest of the Superintendent’s report is below:
Schools to Watch 6th Re-Designation
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to two incredible members of our school board who brought energy, enthusiasm, and unwavering support to our Schools to Watch Celebration.
First, a huge thank you to our School Board President, whose congratulatory remarks were not only thoughtful and inspiring, but truly reflected the pride and commitment our board has for student success and school excellence. Your leadership set a powerful tone for the celebration and reminded us all why this recognition matters.
We also want to give a special shoutout to School Director Matt Reed, who absolutely stole the show! His unveiling of the new book vending machine was a highlight of the day—and his speech, crafted in middle school slang, was both hilarious and heartwarming. Students were buzzing about it long after the event, and your ability to connect with them on their level made the moment unforgettable.
Your presence and participation elevated our celebration and demonstrated how much you value the hard work of our students, staff, and school community. Thank you for being champions of our school and for helping make this milestone truly memorable.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Matt Reed and the First-Class Children’s Foundation
We are incredibly grateful to Matt Reed of the First-Class Children’s Foundation for his generous donation of a fifth Book Vending Machine, now proudly housed at DuBois Area Middle School!
Matt’s unwavering commitment to literacy, learning, and student motivation continues to make a powerful impact across our district. His vision of making books exciting and accessible for all students is brought to life through these innovative vending machines—each one turning reading into a reward and a celebration.
Thank you, Matt, for your continued support of our schools and for inspiring a love of reading in our students. Your generosity and dedication are truly first class!
Wood Mobile at Oklahoma Elementary
Oklahoma Elementary was fortunate to welcome a special visitor—the Pennsylvania Wood Mobile! This interactive experience provided our students with engaging 20–30-minute lessons that brought Pennsylvania’s hardwood forests to life right before their eyes.
Through hands-on learning, students explored the importance of forest protection and conservation, discovered the diverse plants and animals that call our forests home, and gained insight into the many products and careers connected to our state’s thriving forest industry.
We are grateful for this unique educational opportunity that helped deepen our students’ understanding of environmental stewardship and the vital role our forests play in Pennsylvania’s economy and ecology. Thank you to the team behind the Wood Mobile for bringing the forest to our student
Mobile Ag Lab Visit – DuBois Area Middle School
We were excited to welcome the Mobile Ag Lab to our Middle School, where our 5th and 6th grade students had the opportunity to dive into hands-on, science-based agricultural lessons that connected perfectly with our curriculum.
Our 5th grade students explored the question, “No Soil, Now What?”—a lesson that tied in seamlessly with their current studies on hydroponics. They gained valuable insights into alternative growing methods and the future of sustainable agriculture.
Meanwhile, our 6th grade students participated in a fascinating “Water Analysis” lesson, learning how to test and evaluate water quality—an essential skill in both environmental science and real-world applications.
We are incredibly grateful to the team behind the Mobile Ag Lab for delivering such engaging and relevant experiences for our students. Their visit helped bring classroom concepts to life and sparked meaningful discussions about science, sustainability, and innovation in agriculture.
Planning for the Juniata Water Study is underway with Penn State DuBois
Sensory-Friendly Performances
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to both the high school and middle school teams for their thoughtful coordination of sensory-friendly performances of Between the Lines and Seussical Jr. These special events reflect a deep commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all students and families can experience the joy of live theatre in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Your efforts to create performances that accommodate a variety of sensory needs are truly commendable. From lighting and sound adjustments to providing a supportive atmosphere, every detail demonstrated compassion, care, and a dedication to making the arts accessible to everyone.
Thank you to Ms. Rebecca Sensor and Ms. Dorothea Hackett our directors for leading with empathy and for fostering a culture of belonging within our school community.
Community Appreciation – Martins Round Up at the Register Donation
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our local Martins grocery store and to every community member who participated in this year’s Round Up at the Register event. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we received an incredible donation of $8,944.21!
These funds will go directly toward providing snacks for students who may otherwise be unable to bring their own. This simple act of support ensures that all of our students can stay focused and fueled for learning each day.
We are truly grateful for the continued partnership with Martins and for a community that always steps up to support our kids!
National Bus Driver Appreciation Day – April 22
Monday, April 22 was National Bus Driver Appreciation Day, and our district was excited to take this opportunity to celebrate the dedicated drivers who safely transport our students each and every day!
From early mornings to late afternoons, in sunshine, rain, or snow—our bus drivers go above and beyond to ensure our students arrive to school and back home with care and a smile. They are often the first friendly face our students see in the morning and the last at the end of the day, and their impact on our school community is truly invaluable.
This week, we’ll be showing our bus drivers just how much we appreciate them. If you see one of these everyday heroes, be sure to wave, smile, or say a big THANK YOU!
To all our amazing drivers—thank you for keeping our kids safe, supported, and on the move. We appreciate you!
Priority First Federal Credit Union Financial Reality Fair at DuBois Area High School
THANK YOU to Priority First Federal Credit Union and all the incredible local businesses and volunteers who made this year’s Financial Reality Fair at DuBois Area High School a success!
• Clint Cousins – Spitzer Honda
• Jake Renaud – Brookville Chevrolet
• Kim Ellinger
• Holly Howard – Community Action
• Marcy Volpe – State Representative Mike Armanini
• Melinda Sherry – Edward Jones, DuBois
• Andrea Verobish – Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA-15
• Robin Hopkins, Carolyn Rhoades, Lisa Leavens, & Stacey Neale – Community Action
• Angie Mccullough & Mandy Barr – Goodwill Industries
• Summer Anderson – Nova Healthcare / Sunny 106
• Danielle Knarr – We Care for Kids
• Paige Carson – DuBois Area Jaycees
• Luke Kniedel – DuBois Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Guelich & Kim McDonald – State Farm Insurance Agents
• Katie Farbo – IU6
• Susan Lasher & Pat Lundy – FAMCO Service & Machine
• Michael Catazano – BC3
• All PFFCU staff
Your time, dedication, and support for financial education gave our students the chance to explore real-world budgeting in a fun, hands-on way. Experiences like this leave a lasting impression, and we’re truly grateful for your partnership in helping prepare our students for a financially bright future!
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